The Bell Jar

Esther Greenwood, a young woman, wins an internship at a fashion magazine in New York in 1953. Initially excited about her opportunity to become a writer, she soon finds herself overwhelmed by the pressures of her life and an unresponsive society. As she navigates relationships and expectations, Esther descends into serious depression. The novel explores themes of mental illness, identity, and the challenges faced by women in the mid-twentieth century. It is a semi-autobiographical account reflecting Sylvia Plath's own struggles with her mental health.